Tartan ice breaker

[Rusty]

At any rate, the highlight was this English gentleman who strode over and asked, "The real questions, is do you have the right to wear that?"
In the same semi-indignant tone he had used, I asked, "And who are you? The tartan police?"
It literally set him back on his heels.

It still amazes me that some people think you have to have the "right" to wear any certain kind of tartan.

[IEScotsman]

It still amazes me that some people think you have to have the "right" to wear any certain kind of tartan.

I know exactly how they feel, because I used to be one. Granted, I never approached anyone about their "right" to wear a tartan, but I always thought you HAD to wear your particular clan/region/etc. It was one of the reasons I didn't think I could wear a proper kilt...because I didn't know where my ancestry was from.

But for an Englishman to see it is just plain goofy!

[Kilted KT]

while I feel the same way, that a kilt is clothing, personally I'll wear tartans I am associated with in some way. MacTacish as it's my clan, Irish Saffron as I've got TONS of irish ancestry ( and I'm from south of Boston),the UK because I'm an american, and the Blackwatch because many of the clans I can trace my roots to were at Culoden, or some other major scottish/english battle, and I honor them.

I think if you wear a tartan you are not associated with, you might want to learn a little about that clan, mostly for when people ask questions, but also to enrich you own understanding of the various clans of scotland ( or wherever the tartan is from).

[Doomsday]

I think if you wear a tartan you are not associated with, you might want to learn a little about that clan, mostly for when people ask questions, but also to enrich you own understanding of the various clans of scotland ( or wherever the tartan is from).

Very true, Unlike most clothing items there actually is meaning in the set of the tartan and people worldwide understand that. The least you can do is spend some time, (and not much of it usually) to find out a little bit about the tartan you are wearing. As "Kilted" mentioned it will help when you have to field questions, you WILL get questions at least in the U.S.A., and you will have a better time wearing your kilt, I believe, if you feel some connection to it however trivial. In the end wear what you like, but find something out about it when you do.

[Streetcar]

Excellent replies. That tartan police comment had me laughing. Any conversations with the host about her clan and if she wears tartan?

Unfortuntately, no. She was an excellent host, and made sure she spent a little time with each of her guests. Next time I see her, I'm sure we'll talk about it.

Her sister, however, really started chatting me up about my scotch choice. I think my wife was actually getting a little jealous!

[McMurdo]

Excellent story, great line I shall have to file that one.

[RCallan]

Great fun!
You wouldn't happen to have a photo of that kilt would you????

I'm a Sept of Clanranald...and thinking about getting that tartan as my next BIG purchase.

[Streetcar]

Great fun!
You wouldn't happen to have a photo of that kilt would you????

I'm a Sept of Clanranald...and thinking about getting that tartan as my next BIG purchase.

Howdy Coz!
I've posted a couple pictures in other links.
Take a peek here:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=22081

Kind of a dark shot here:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...875#post298875

and here's a good one from Al's trip to Seattle:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=21836

[Roan Carter]

"At least your not one of these bloody Americans who just decided to put them on. How long have you been in country?"


I am one of those people. LOL. Some people! Good of you to have witty replies at the ready.

[Alan H]

Spot on, and well done!